B.C. Lions quarterback Mike Reilly shows his frustration as he comes off the field after a frustrating first quarter against the Calgary Stampeders in CFL action at McMahon Stadium in Calgary, Alberta on Oct. 26, 2012. (MIKE DREW/QMI AGENCY)

MIKE DREW/CALGARY SUN/QMI Agency

Odell Willis of the Saskatchewan Roughriders rouses the crowd during the Canadian Football League's West Division semifinal against the Calgary Stampeders at McMahon Stadium in Calgary, Alta. on Sunday, Nov. 11, 2012. (Lyle Aspinall/QMI Agency)

Lyle Aspinall/Calgary Sun/QMI Ag

Calgary Stampeders kicker Rob Maver looks at the replay board late in the game during CFL game action between the Stampeders and the Toronto Argonauts in Calgary, Alberta on July 1, 2011. (JIM WELLS/QMI AGENCY)

Jim Wells

Calgary Stampeders' Romby Bryant is tackled during a game against the Edmonton Eskimos at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton on Sept. 7, 2012. (CODIE MCLACHLAN/QMI AGENCY)

CODIE MCLACHLAN/EDMONTON SUN

Calgary Stampeders' Corey Mace with the sack against the Saskatchewan Roughriders during the CFL West Division semifinal at McMahon Stadium in Calgary, Alberta, Nov. 11, 2012. (AL CHAREST/QMI AGENCY)

There are several names out there that are quite delectable, but right now they’re like candy under a glass counter.

You can look, but you can’t touch. Or call. Or e-mail. Or text. Or direct message on Twitter.

The CFL released its official free-agent list on Wednesday, but most of the players won’t be available until their contracts run out on Feb. 15. That’s how it’s supposed to work, at least, but teams have been known to send out “secret” messages to potential free agents before the deadline in years past.

If teams want to upgrade, they’d better send out the vibe right now because a lot of the names on this list will be locked up by their current teams before the mid-February deadline.

That being said, here’s a look at the top potential free agents and which teams could use their services the most:

Romby Bryant, WR, Calgary Stampeders

The Stamps have already told him he can look around for employment elsewhere. He’s getting up there in age, but he still has wheels – as evidenced by his game-winning touchdown in the West semifinal.

Who could use him: Saskatchewan, B.C., Toronto.

Peter Dyakowski, OL, Hamilton Tiger-Cats

Canadian offensive linemen rarely hit free agency because they are so valuable. Dyakowski won’t knock your socks off and he’s coming off an injury-plagued season, but he would be an upgrade for most teams.

Who could use him: Toronto, Winnipeg, B.C.

Solomon Elimimian, LB, B.C. Lions

The CFL’s top rookie in 2010 left for the Minnesota Vikings last off-season, but, when he returned to the Lions, he found Adam Bighill had taken over his middle linebacker spot quite nicely. So now he’s a talented player without a team. He is going to try the NFL again, but if things don’t work out, he will be wanted.

Who could use him: Saskatchewan, Toronto.

Shawn Gore, WR, B.C. Lions

Another player with a Canadian passport, and he’s an up-and-comer who’s had at least 60 catches and 720 yards in the past two seasons. After making only one touchdown catch in 2011, he had five this past season for the Leos.

Who could use him: Calgary, Saskatchewan, Toronto.

Jonathan Hefney, DB, Winnipeg Blue Bombers

He barely lost the team vote as defensive player of the year to Jovon Johnson in 2011, which means he very well could have been voted the CFL’ s most elite defender instead of Johnson. He had an off-year in 2012, but he’s a solid cover guy when he wants to be.

Who could use him: Hamilton, Edmonton.

Marcus Howard, DE, Edmonton Eskimos

He’s an import pass-rusher, but some GMs believe the two most important positions on a CFL team are quarterback and defensive end. Howard, when healthy, has shown the ability to get after the quarterback. He has 12 sacks in 19 career games.

Who could use him: Calgary, Hamilton.

Corey Mace, DT, Calgary Stampeders

He’s Canadian, and he can play both defensive tackle positions. That, folks, is what you call a ratio-breaker, and every team likes to have them because it means they can put an American at a position where everyone else is using a Canuck.

Who could use him: Winnipeg, Toronto, Montreal, Hamilton.

Rob Maver, P, Calgary Stampeders

The Canadian bounced back from an injury-plagued 2011 campaign and last week was named the league’s all-star punter. He tied with the man he replaced in Calgary – Edmonton’s Burke Dales -- for the best net punting mark last season.

Who could use him: Winnipeg, Montreal, B.C.

Evan McCollough, DB, Toronto Argonauts

You hardly ever hear McCollough’s name, which is exactly how halfbacks want it. The import has only five interceptions in his three years with the Argos, but that’s probably because quarterbacks try to avoid him.

Who could use him: Hamilton, Edmonton

Adrian McPherson, QB, Montreal Alouettes

The former high school football and basketball star from Florida has been waiting patiently behind Anthony Calvillo for five years now, but the old man just won’t stop playing quality football. In addition, rumour has it the Als are more enamoured with their third-stringer, Josh Neiswander. It might be time for McPherson to take the plunge elsewhere.

Who could use him: Winnipeg, Edmonton, Toronto, Hamilton

Jovan Olafioye, OL, B.C. Lions

The Detroit product was named the CFL’s top offensive lineman this year after allowing only one sack. The 6-foot-6, 325-pounder tried the NFL last year, but his contract with the St. Louis Rams was nullified when he failed his physical. He’s good, so don’t expect him to hit the market if the NFL doesn’t work out.

Who could use him: Everyone.

Jeff Perrett, OL, Montreal Alouettes

He’s been a solid contributor on Montreal’s all-Canadian offensive line at right tackle -- a position at which most teams are using an American. That means his passport is like a licence to print money if he wants to wait and see what’s out there.

Who could use him: Everyone.

Mike Reilly, QB, B.C. Lions

He’s thrown only 75 passes in his career, but he looks like he has “it.” And there are a couple of teams out there who could use a little more of “it” when it comes to their quarterback situation. It would be a bit of a gamble for Reilly to go to free agency and for the team that signs him, but it could pay off in the end.

Who could use him: Winnipeg, Edmonton.

J.C. Sherritt, LB, Edmonton Eskimos

All the California native did in 2012 was set a CFL record for tackles in a single season with 130. So what if he had so many tackles because Edmonton’s defence was on the field so much? He may be small in stature, but he gets after the man with the ball and brings him down.

Who could use him: Saskatchewan, Toronto.

Larry Taylor, KR, Calgary Stampeders

He was one of the only bright spots for the Stamps in their Grey Cup loss to the Argos, which was good timing on his part. He was a threat every time he touched the ball and had a touchdown called back on a chintzy holding call.

Who could use him: Montreal, Edmonton, Winnipeg.

Odell Willis, DE, Saskatchewan Roughriders

The Alabama native has a reputation as a problem in the locker-room, but he has the physical ability to be a difference-maker when it comes to getting to the quarterback. If he can find the right situation and a team is willing to take the plunge, it could be a win-win.

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Top CFL free agents for 2013

There are several names out there that are quite delectable, but right now they’re like candy under a glass counter.

You can look, but you can’t touch. Or call. Or e-mail. Or text. Or direct message on Twitter.

The CFL released its official free-agent list on Wednesday, but most of the players won’t be available until their contracts run out on Feb. 15. That’s how it’s supposed to work, at least, but teams have been known to send out “secret” messages to potential free agents before the deadline in years past.

If teams want to upgrade, they’d better send out the vibe right now because a lot of the names on this list will be locked up by their current teams before the mid-February deadline.

That being said, here’s a look at the top potential free agents and which teams could use their services the most:

Also in this article

Top CFL free agents of 2013

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Plenty of CFL personnel grumbled last season that there wasn't enough good Canadian talent to go around. Draft rule changes decreased last year's prospect pool, and the 30 new jobs for Canucks that were created when the Ottawa RedBlacks joined the league spread the talent out too much.